{"id":9440,"date":"2022-08-31T14:28:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-31T12:28:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.solarstratos.com\/2022\/08\/here-we-go-again\/"},"modified":"2022-09-06T15:08:40","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T13:08:40","slug":"newsletter-072-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.solarstratos.com\/en\/2022\/08\/newsletter-072-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Here we go again!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays are over<\/h3>\n

The holidays are over, and SolarStratos is back to business. The team is reunited in Payerne and is preparing for new adventures and unlimited exploration! On the agenda for the next few weeks: a new round of test flights that will be carried out according to weather and technical constraints. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the SolarStratos Club members and friends enjoyed a get together on Friday 2 September at the HB-SXA base. Rapha\u00ebl Domjan\u2019s presentation was followed by a lively discussion on the progress of the project, aviation, and the climate.<\/p>\n

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Record sunshine: \u201cSolar energy is our future\u201d<\/h3>\n

The sun has also been breaking records this summer. Switzerland has experienced excessive sunshine throughout the country, recording between 110 and 130% above the average from 1991-2020. July was the sunniest month since records began in 1959 according to the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology. Meteoswiss stations in the lowlands, northern Alps, and Valais measured over 300 hours of sunshine. \u201cThat\u2019s as much as southern Spain,\u201d said Rapha\u00ebl Domjan.<\/p>\n

These statistics are alarming in themselves, but they demonstrate the legitimacy of the SolarStratos eco-project. In the face of climate change, and gas and oil shortages, \u201csolar energy is more than just a dream, it is our future. This record adds weight to our mission: beyond flying a solar aircraft, this project is a communication tool to demonstrate and promote the potential of solar energy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vibration tests: HB-SXA shaken but not stirred!<\/h3>\n

A project like SolarStratos gives off good vibrations, but like all aircraft, it will be subject to the phenomenon known as \u2018flutter\u2019. Flutter is the effect of the aeroelastic coupling between the aerodynamic forces and the structure of the aircraft in flight. In other words, at a given speed, the aircraft goes into vibratory spasms that can intensify until it is destroyed. To simplify this further, flutter is to aviation what handlebar wobbles are to motorbikes or bicycles.<\/p>\n

This summer, HB-SXA underwent the Ground Vibration Test (GVT) by the Office National d’Etudes et Recherches A\u00e9rospatiales, the French national aerospace research centre, and a SolarStratos partner since 2020. The importance of this test is highlighted by the fact that when the aircraft reaches the limits of the stratosphere, the scarcity of the air will force SolarStratos to fly much faster.<\/p>\n

Please click here<\/a> to watch the \u2018flutter\u2019 phenomenon.<\/p>\n

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A wingsuit premiere that \u201cwill make all generations dream\u201d<\/h3>\n

In yet another SolarStratos world premiere, on the 18 June in Verbier, the solar aircraft piloted by eco-explorer Rapha\u00ebl Domjan demonstrated its pioneering nature alongside \u2018Lady Bird\u2019, the extreme sportswoman G\u00e9raldine Fasnacht. The pair took off from Sion \u2013 the first-ever take off from the Canton of Valais \u2013 for the world\u2019s first wingsuit jump from a solar and electric airplane. With innovative technology, risk management, and rigorous preparation, nothing was left to chance to achieve this extraordinary performance that delighted and astonished the large crowd gathered to watch!<\/p>\n

\u201cA magical moment!\u201d said G\u00e9raldine Fasnacht, back on the ground again. \u201cAnd a chance to fulfil a dream alongside SolarStratos. Exploration is unique and remains the best way to demonstrate what is possible,\u201d she added, delighted.<\/p>\n

Beyond the magic of the flight over the Valais Alps and the resort of Verbier, the stunt demonstrated the unlimited potential of solar energy. \u201cWith this pioneering spirit, SolarStratos is committed to making all generations dream of a cleaner and more environmentally friendly aviation, and world,\u201d said Rapha\u00ebl Domjan.<\/p>\n